Unlike live-action, the animated script often serves as a living blueprint that is constantly revised alongside visual development. The pre-production script focuses on establishing the core three-act structure, developing detailed dialogue, and clearly defining the emotional beats of the story. Animation writers must consider the limitations and possibilities of the medium, often writing in visual terms that translate directly into actions for the storyboard artist.

Key to this phase is the integration of visual gags, physical comedy, and specific character business that dialogue alone cannot convey. The script must be tight, as every moment on screen will require significant labor and resources in production. Often, animation studios develop a “beat sheet” first, detailing the sequence of emotional and plot moments before diving into the full screenplay.

In the later stages of pre-production, the script is often timed out precisely against the animatic (a moving storyboard) to determine the exact final runtime and scene flow. This rigorous timing ensures the production adheres to broadcast or feature length requirements, making the script a critical, flexible document that binds the narrative and technical requirements together.